Pool Reports of February 12, 2024

In-Town Pool Report #1: WH Departure

President Biden entered the motorcade at 11:07, and the motorcade then departed from the White House at 11:10.

The White House passes along the following:

Traveling with the President via motorcade en route to the National Association of Counties Legislative Conference in Washington, DC:

Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations
Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
Tom Perez, Assistant to the President & Director of Intergovernmental Affairs
Marc Gustafson, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Director for the White House Situation Room

In-Town Pool Report #2: Arrival at Hilton

The motorcade arrived at the Washington Hilton at 11:14 after passing three protestors who held signs that read, "Free Palestine."

Pool is now inside the ballroom which is packed from front to back in preparation for the president.

In-Town Pool Reporter #3: Photo Line Participants

The crowd continues to await the president, and Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl" plays over the speakers, and the White House passes along the following:

Participating in a photo line with the President:

Mary Jo McGuire, Commissioner, Ramsey County, Minnesota, NACo President
James Gore, Supervisor, Sonoma County, California, NACo First Vice President
JD Clark, County Judge, Wise County, Texas, NACo Second Vice President
Denise Winfrey, Board Member, Will County, Illinois, NACo Immediate Past President
Joe Briggs, Commissioner, Cascade County, Montana, NACo Region West Representative
Tracy Graham, Commissioner, Audrain County, Missouri, NACo Central Region Representative
Ron Berry, Commissioner, Roane County, Tennessee, NACo South Region Representative
Mark Poloncarz, County Executive, Erie County, New York, NACo Northeast Region Representative
Toni Preckwinkle, Board President, Cook County, Illinois
Kevin Boyce, Commissioner, Franklin County, Ohio
Taryl Clark, Commissioner, Stearns County, Minnesota
Greg Weiss, Commissioner, Palm Beach County, Florida
Hilda Solis, County Supervisor, Los Angeles County, California
Kathryn Barger, County Supervisor, Los Angeles County, California
Holly Mitchell, County Supervisor, Los Angeles County, California
Michael Owen, Vice Chair, Hillsborough County, Florida
Dow Constantine, County Executive, King County, Washington
Chris Ronayne, County Executive, Cuyahoga County, Ohio
Sara Innamorato, County Executive, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Alisha Bell, County Commission Chair, Wayne County, Michigan
George Dunlap, Chairman of the Board, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina
Bill Truex, Commissioner, Charlotte County, Florida
Eileen Higgins, Commissioner, Miami-Dade County, Florida
David Crowley, County Executive, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
Andy Brown, County Judge, Travis County, Texas
Matt Chase, NACo Executive Director
Mark Ritacco, NACo Director of Government Affairs

In-Town Pool Report #4: POTUS Now Speaking

"Hello, hello, hello," President Biden said as he walked on stage moments ago to a warm welcome. Remarks are ongoing and are being live streamed. The White House passes along the following:

In attendance for the President's remarks at the National Association of Counties Legislative Conference:

State, local, and county elected officials

Speaking Program
Mary Jo McGuire, President of the National Association of Counties
The President

In-Tow Pool Report #5: Departure

The president wrapped up his remarks at 11:58, and the motorcade started rolling at 12:04.

In-Town Pool Report #6: WH Arrival and Two Updates

The motorcade arrived at the White House at 12:08.

Note two updates below, per White House, concerning the arrival of the delegation from Jordan and the addition of Adm. Kirby to the press briefing:

Due to inclement weather, the President and the First Lady will now welcome His Majesty King Abdullah II and Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan to the White House at the North Portico. This event will be pooled for TV and open to pre-credentialed media.

White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby will join Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre at the press briefing today.

In-Town Pool Report #7: Two Minute Warning

White House just gave two-minute warning for press briefing.

In-Town Pool Report #8: Jordanian Delegation Arrival

At 2:40, President Biden and the First Lady walked out of the White House and stood on the steps of the North Portico to welcome His Majesty King Abdullah II and Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan

The motorcade of the king rolled right up to the steps shortly after. "Welcome," Biden said as he shook the hand of Abdullah II.

While awaiting the delegation, your print pool asked Biden if he would like the transcripts of his interview with Special Counsel Hur released. The president smirked and shook his head but did not give an answer.

Another reporter asked if he thought Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu should take his advice on Gaza, the president replied, "everybody does."

White House passes along the following:

The President and the First Lady are greeting His Majesty King Abdullah II, Her Majesty Queen Raina Al Abdullah, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

In-Town Pool Report #9: Meeting Manifest

The White House passes along the following:

The President is meeting with His Majesty King Abdullah II of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan:

U.S. Manifest
T.H. Antony Blinken, Secretary of State
T.H. Jake Sullivan, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs
T.H. Jon Finer, Assistant to the President and Principal Deputy National Security Advisor
T.H. Brett McGurk, Deputy Assistant to the President and Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa, National Security Council
T.H. Yael Lempert, Ambassador of the United States to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Manifest
His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, Crown Prince of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
H.E. Ayman Safadi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Dr. Jafar Hassan, Director of His Majesty's Office
H.E. Dina Kawar, Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to the United States
Dr. Zaid Baqain, Director of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's Office

In-Town Pool Report #10: Holding

Pool has been advised that wranglers are "holding on gathering" for Cross Hall remarks and that further updates will come via overheard announcements.

In-Town Pool Report #11: Gathering for Remarks

Pool and pre-credentialed gather at the Palm Room doors now, the White House announces over the intercom.

In-Town Pool Report #12: Two Minutes

Pool is in Cross Hall awaiting remarks. There is only one podium.

In-Town Pool Report #13: Remarks End

Along with Jordanian King Abdullah II, President Biden walked into the Cross Hall at 4:22pm, checking his watch briefly before stepping to the podium.

The remarks were live-streamed.

Both leaders spoke.

Neither responded to shouted questions.

In-Town Pool Report #14: Lid

The White House called a lid just now.

Foreign Pool report #1 visit of King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan at North Portico

I am your pooler today for the King of Jordan meeting with President Biden.

From WH: Due to inclement weather, the President and the First Lady will now welcome His Majesty King Abdullah II and Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan to the White House at the North Portico

This will be the first visit to the White House for the King since the Gaza-Hamas war and the killing of three US servicemen in north eastern Jordan on January 28.

"President Biden and King Abdullah II will discuss the ongoing situation in Gaza and efforts to produce an enduring end to the crisis," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.

"Towards that end, the two leaders will discuss U.S. efforts to support the Palestinian people including through enhanced humanitarian assistance into Gaza and a vision for a durable peace to include a two-state solution with Israel's security guaranteed," she added.

King Abdullah II departed Jordan on a tour of the United States, Canada, France, and Germany. According to the official statement, the purpose of the visit is to mobilise international support for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the protection of civilians, and the provision of sufficient and sustainable humanitarian aid.

He will focus on the importance of creating a political horizon that leads to a comprehensive settlement that ends the Palestinian-Israeli conflict per the statement.

In Addition to meeting President Biden and senior administration officials, he will meet with Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on Tuesday as well as several members of Congress.

In his absence, Prince Feisal bin Al Hussein was sworn in as Regent, in the presence of Cabinet members.

On Feb 14 in Ottawa, The King will meet with Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, while in Paris, he will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron.

In Germany, King Abdullah II will participate in the 60th Munich Security Conference and will meet with a number of senior European and international officials on its sidelines.

Foreign Pool #2 King Abdullah II of Jordan arrival at North Portico

King Abdullah II stepped out of his official black car accompanied by Queen Rania and Crown Prince Hussein Bin Abdullah at 2:41 PM, President Biden and the First Lady Mrs. Biden were at the top of the stairs of the North Portico entrance to greet them, the two leaders exchanged hugs and President Biden said "Welcome, Welcome". Queen Rania greeted the President and exchanged kisses with the First Lady.

Crown Prince Hussein Bin Abdullah stepped out and shook hands with both the President and the First Lady.

The press shouted questions to the President about civilian casualties in Rafah, ceasefire and the two Israeli hostages that were released. He answered one question if Netanyahu is listening to his advice, He said: " Everybody does".

The bilateral meeting between the King and POTUS will take place shortly after the detailed discussion with the expanded delegation including the Jordanian Foreign minister Ayman Safadi and Jordanian Ambassador to the United States Dina Kawar among others.

We expect a statement from both leaders across the Hall at approximately 4:00 PM.

Foreign Pool #3 Jordanian delegation

The White House passes along the following:

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Manifest
His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, Crown Prince of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
H.E. Ayman Safadi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Dr. Jafar Hassan, Director of His Majesty's Office
H.E. Dina Kawar, Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to the United States
Dr. Zaid Baqain, Director of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's Office

Foreign Pool #4 Statements for POTUS and the King from across the Hall

Highlights from the King statement, more color to come:

• We need a lasting ceasefire now

• We must deliver sufficient aid to Gaza

• We view with extreme concern the displacement of Palestinians from West Bank and Gaza

• Nearly 100 thousand people have been killed in Gaza, injured or missing, majority are women and children

• 400 Palestinians have been killed in the West bank since October 7 including 100 children

• No peace without a political horizon

• 2 state solution with East Jerusalem as its capitol

• President Biden is a key in addressing this conflict

Foreign Pool #5 Statements for POTUS and the King from across the Hall

Pool entered across the Hall at 4:22 PM. A shared podium already set up with both US and Jordanian flags behind it. President Biden spoke first, He welcomed the King and praised the long friendship with the King and his family and said that Queen Rania is a passionate advocate for the people, particularly women and children.

The President made news by saying that he is working on a hostage deal with the King and others in the region to bring immediate and sustained period of common good to Gaza for at least 6 weeks.

The President emphasized that he discussed the situation in the middle east in general and in particular the situation in Gaza. He set his priority as to bring the hostages home, and to defeat Hamas.

The President said that Palestinians endured unimaginable pain and loss.

The President acknowledged that the death toll of Palestinians stands at 27 000, including thousands of children and hundreds of thousands who have no access to food, water and other basic services.

The President added that the major military operation in Rafah should not proceed without a credible plan for ensuring the safety and support of more than 1 million people sheltering.

The President said: " We oppose any forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza".

President also discussed with the King ways to bring more humanitarian aids to Gaza.

The President insisted that Kerem Shalom crossing stays open.

The President called on the Palestinian authority to urgently reform.

The President said that a Palestinian state should not harbour terrorist groups like Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

The President mentioned Jordan's unique role as custodian of the holy sites in Jerusalem.

The King spoke in English and both read from a teleprompter.

Journalists shouted questions about the ceasefire and why he joined TikTok.

The President didn't answer any questions.

Remarks concluded at 4:36 PM.